Photocyclization of α-(o-Tolyl)acetophenones: Triplet and 1,5-Biradical Reactivity

Peter J. Wagner, Michael A. Meador, Boli Zhou, Bong Ser Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several ring-substituted α-(o-tolyl)acetophenones undergo photocyclization to 2-indanol derivatives in high quantum efficiency in solution and in high chemical yield as solids. The mechanism for reaction involves triplet state δ-hydrogen atom abstraction that generates 1,5-biradicals. Quenching studies indicate that the n,π* excited triplets of these ketones react, with rate constants >108 s1. Variations in triplet reactivity are ascribed to conformational equilibria that populate reactive and unreactive geometries to different extents. The α-aryl ring eclipses the carbonyl in the lowest energy geometry, from which the most favorable geometry for reaction can be reached by small bond rotations. α-(2,4,6-Triisopropylphenyl)acetophenone forms the relatively long lived enol as well as indanol in solvent-dependent ratios; deuterium labeling indicates that the 1,5-biradical disproportionates to form enol. This does not happen with α-mesitylacetophenone, so its 54% cyclization quantum efficiency is ascribed to an internal triplet quenching that competes with hydrogen abstraction. This internal quenching is presumed to be of the charge-transfer type and does not appear to lead directly to 1,5-biradicals. l-Methyl-2-phenyl-2-indanol is formed from α-(o-ethylphenyl)acetophenone with a Z/E ratio of 20:1 in benzene and 2:1 in methanol. The 1,5-biradical intermediates were characterized by flash spectroscopy; they have lifetimes between 15 and 45 ns, with those derived from α-(o-isopropylphenyl) ketones being twice as long-lived as those derived from α-(o-methylphenyl) ketones, and show only a small solvent dependence. Biradical lifetimes and the diastereoselectivity of cyclization are interpreted in terms of biradical intersystem crossing occurring preferentially along the reaction coordinate for cyclization, such that the two processes effectively occur concurrently. The applicability of this concept to other biradicals is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9630-9639
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume113
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 1991

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Photocyclization of α-(o-Tolyl)acetophenones: Triplet and 1,5-Biradical Reactivity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this